Akron Learns Ucf No Patsy

It's a good thing for the University of Akron that the University of Central Florida didn't agree to play the Zips in their home opener. UCF might have spoiled Gerry Faust's debut as head coach.

Akron, trying to find a patsy for Faust's first game, asked UCF in March if it would change the date of their game from Sept. 27 to Sept. 6. UCF, which already had a game scheduled against rival Bethune-Cookman College, wouldn't consider the request.

''They said in so many words, 'We're looking for an easy win,' '' said Rick Stockstill, assistant head coach of the Knights, who personally rejected the request over the telephone. ''That really bothered me.''

UCF showed Akron it was no pushover Saturday, giving the heavily favored Zips all they could handle in a heartbreaking, 20-17 loss.

UCF Coach Gene McDowell said the bigger, stronger Zips did all they could to intimidate the Knights before the game, but the Knights wouldn't fall for it.

''Their players kept marching up and down the hallway in front of our dressing room to show us how big they were,'' McDowell said chuckling. ''I told our guys before we took the field, 'Don't let them scare you. Remember, only 11 of them can play at the same time.' ''

UCF place-kicker Eddie O'Brien, who has made 7 of 9 field goals this season, is probable for Saturday's game against visiting Murray State. O'Brien sprained his left knee in the third quarter against Akron.

Bethune-Cookman College tight end Melvin Ford will be out at least a month with a bruised liver sustained Saturday against Grambling State.

Ford, who was crushed by two Grambling defenders while stretching for a pass in the first quarter at the Gator Bowl and carried off the field on a stretcher, underwent exploratory surgery Sunday at Methodist Hospital in Jacksonville.

''He's coming along pretty well,'' B-CC Coach Larry Little said. ''We hope to have him back real soon because he's a very fine football player. We're really going to miss him.''